Quote:
Originally Posted by ruh roh
Analysis is really demanding work. I tried it a few times and couldn't take it. I wonder if the one you saw for the year in between worked better because he was slightly more engaging or revealing of himself? I only say that because you mentioned his personality. For me, in doing such deep work, I have to have a sense of the therapist as a human being. Not that analysts aren't human, but there is a kind of confrontation with the self that takes place due to the void or vacuum of analysis--again, I found it to be brutal.
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That's what I've been wondering as well. Never tried analysis myself. But last year when I was looking for a new T I met with several analysts, and even just an initial consultation "analysis-style" was much more than I could take.
I too feel that I have to connect with another person. They need to be "tangible" for me. I need the feedback, experience Ts personality etc. The analytical "blank slate approach" (to stay with the clichee) doesn't work for me. I need some input from outside in order to get things going inside of me. I need some encouragement that I'm progressing. I need reassurance whenever I'm feeling guilty because I got angry with her. I need to laugh with her about silly things. And I need her to show empathy when I am in despair. If I was constantly left hanging in midair all by myself I'd probably stop going altogether...
I know, all this is supposed to foster some degree of regression, to help you get in touch with your (younger) feelings.
But I'm regressing quite a bit in my sessions anyway, sometimes also dissociating, whenever things get difficult. So being in a therpy setting that actively fosters regression might be too much for me. Being in a regressive state and being thrown back onto myself without T intervening wouldn't work for me... I think I'd get stuck in some sort of eternal regression.
Just a thought. Have you ever actively tried some other T (non analytical)?